Blue Ram Problems

[SlyPolak]

Ok, so a few weeks ago I bought a few German Blue Rams ( 3 female 2 male ) .............. About 2 weeks ago one started scratching on the surface of rocks and gravel every once in a while and kind of twitching rarely too, not too often but several times a day. I read on the net that cichlids are known for scratching with no ill effects so I thought nothing of it but still kept an eye on them. So a few days later I saw maybe 1 or 2 others doing it and kind of got worried, another day or so and one of the rams seemed like its slime coat got REAL thick, looked almost gray because it was so much. I did not want to add meds yet because I didnt know what was going on, I gave it a few more days and it only got worse... The one with the super thick slime coat started scratching a little less but stayed on the bottom and twitched a LOT!!! Whenever it twitched it swam across the tank real quick a few times then settled.. 4 days ago it died .. So after TONS of reading I dont know what it is, right before he died he got REAL dark almost black. I am scared that it might be skin flukes because after close examination he seemed like he started developing a few tiny red spots towards his back end.. HELP ME PLEASE!!! So today I noticed another ram scratching every once in a while, also twitching a little bit but it seems like it only does it in front of another ram ( maybe mating behavior?? ) ... It looks normal its color is good , grat appetite, no extra slime ... I am just getting worried and I do not want an outbreak of some sorts in my 55 gallon.

SORRY for the long story I just wanted to get it out... there is only 1 or 2 that scratch and its rare!!!

Stats are .. PH- 7.4 Ammonia- 0 Nitrite- 0 Nitrate- 40... Temp is 80 F ...

It is a 55 gallon with 2 opaline gouramis, 2 kissing gouramis, 4 jouvenile angels that will be moving to my 180 as soon as they get a little bigger, 2 baby "dinosaur eels" that will also be moving to the 180 real soon so they dont have my rams for a snack, 1 raphael cat, 1 synandontis, 4 german blue rams and a farlowella.

PLEASE HELP>>>>> ANY ADVICE HELPS!!!!

 

[mattlee]

GBR's are very sensitive fish that require very high quality water thats low in pH 5.5-6.0 ideally, they can also be sensitive to nitrates that are low for most fish. its very common for these fish not to survive long in incorrect parameters.

if its just the rams that are suffering then i would sat its your water not disease. i would be tempted to take them out and return to the lfs as they will become stressed and then there is a change of disease.

 

[SlyPolak]

any other points of view??

 

[PDSimon]

I agree with the other poster, your nitrates and pH are both to high for german blue rams. unfortunately they require really good water conditions. Maybe look into bolivian rams which can tolerate your water conditions. Although all american cichlids will prefer a pH atleast less than 7, with bogwood and plants to replicate their natural habitat.

If you want more help i'd move this to new world cichlid forum

Hope you sort the problem out soon